Persephone Books discussion
William
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Has anyone finished yet?
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I won't be able to participate on this read, but have just ordered the upcoming books.
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Overall, I liked this book. It was very depressing (especially the last half of the book), but the first part was funny! I was surprised when it became so depressing...but I liked the author's writing style. I wouldn't say it was one of my favorite books, but it was definitely worth the time.
I'm still trying to figure out what I was supposed to take away from the novel--maybe "Don't be an ignorant revolutionary"? :)
Is there any book/author that it is comparable to?
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That's hard to say...maybe Hemingway, due to the subject matter (war) and the tone. The author's sense of humor at the beginning of the book was similar to Catch-22.
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-What is the significance of the choice of title ‘William an Englishman’ – why not simply ‘William’?
-How plausible is it that William and Griselda should be so ignorant of the politics of their day that they were entirely oblivious to the threat and start of war?
-Would you describe the novel as predominately a ‘war’ novel or one on the theme of loss of innocence?
-Do you agree with 20thCenturyVox who commented that William and Griselda’s ‘social positioning within the novel could allow an ironic reading of their suffering’ , in other words how sympathetic is Cicely Hamilton to her hero and heroine and what does she mean us to feel about them? At first they are faintly absurd. But do they become heroic?
-Does it matter that William and Griselda are slightly unsympathetic, or are they? Do characters in a novel have to be appealing for a novel to work? Does it matter if we are judgemental about characters in a novel?
-What does the novel tell us about women’s lives at that time? Is Griselda just waiting to get married or did she have genuine ideals?
-Is Edith’s sudden appearance rather odd or does it work as a plot device?
-Does this novel make you wonder how you would have coped or do the events it describes seem impossibly distant? And, a related question, does this book have greater or less validity than a modern book on the same subject?
Just started it yesterday. It's available for free on Project Gutenberg!
I dont think i have read it yet but ill try to fine the book in wattpad
Yall need to read the series of wings of fire in wattpad
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I really liked this one. It was quite brutal in places, not a cosy comfort read but worth reading.
Definitely worth reading!It was quite surprising and took turns I never expected.
I should also ask...was everyone able to find the book? This one may have been a little more difficult to locate.